Hawaiian Vacation with Baby at Aulani
Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa, photo credit: Disney PhotoPass
Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, is like a little piece of heaven. Located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Aulani offers pristine beaches with crystal-clear water and breathtaking views of the ocean beyond.
I first visited Aulani on my maternity leave when my baby was nearly 3 months old, and the vacation was just what I needed!
I loved Aulani so much that I returned when my daughter was 10 months old, and then again when she was 4 years old. Check out this post on visiting Aulani with older kids.
Related: What to Wear in Hawaii
In this post, I am going to share the 5 reasons why you should take advantage of an Aulani vacation during the baby stage:
The benefits of flying to Hawaii while your baby is still young
How Aulani’s location is ideal for a vacation with a baby
Why you will love the resort both for yourself and your baby
How the accommodations make vacationing with a baby hassle-free
Saving money on food when traveling with a baby
Whether you are a new parent to a first baby or recently added a new baby to your growing family, you are certainly due for self care! I know the thought of flying and vacationing with an infant can be scary.
Trust me—I thrive on routine, and as a new mom, the thought of neglecting the routine that we were finally establishing made me very anxious.
What I’ve realized now is that traveling only gets more complex and more expensive as kids grow. Don’t postpone amazing experiences while waiting for your kids to be older.
The Pandemic taught me that our ability to travel when we want is not always guaranteed. I recommend taking advantage of Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, now. Your baby will only benefit from the renewed you!
This is a real photo I took of the beach at Aulani—no photoshopping or AI!
Believe me that the tranquility of Aulani makes it possible to forget about the stress you left at home. Aulani is one of the few vacation destinations where I can exhale as soon as I get there and feel completely refreshed when I leave.
Vacationing at Aulani is the cure for my burnout!
Aulani Character Breakfast
Disclaimer: I am a former employee of Disney Cruise Line. However, I was no longer an employee of the Disney company during my visits to Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa, or when I wrote this article. I did not receive any discount for my vacations, and this post is not sponsored by Disney.
This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Flying to Hawaii with a baby
I remember my mother’s words that the flight(s) you take with a newborn will be the easiest flight(s) you ever experience with young kids, and she was right! My baby slept in my lap the entire flight both going to and returning from Hawaii.
The white noise inside the cabin does wonders to encourage babies to fall and stay asleep. Flights to Hawaii are at least 5 ½ to 6 hours from the West Coast which is why I recommend taking advantage of the short-lived infant stage to take this flight.
You don’t have to constantly entertain (like you will with a toddler) or provide endless snacks. Because I live close to the West Coast, I can take morning flights which arrive in Honolulu by midday.
I know many parents swear by red-eye flights with young kids, but the idea has never appealed to me.
Find the best bargains for Hawaii flights on Southwest. I recently flew non-stop from Hawaii on Southwest for the first time, (I had previously flown with Hawaiian Airlines), and it was by far, the best Hawaiian flight I’ve taken.
The leg-room, the comfort of the seats, the friendliest crew, and the budget price will keep me flying Southwest from now on!
Baby-wearing through the airport is essential! A baby carrier makes the security process much smoother.
Hawaiian sunsets are the best!
My sister is a NICU therapist, and her favorite carriers are the Ergobaby Embrace and the Baby K’tan.
I also recommend gate-checking your stroller using a sturdy stroller bag. My stroller hook is like a a second set of hands, and is one of my favorite travel accessories with a baby!
I encourage you NOT to take your luxury, prestige-brand stroller or wagon on your flight due to the risk of it getting damaged like my Baby Jogger did (even though it was gate-checked).
I recommend using a cheaper stroller for travel, so if it gets damaged, you’re out a lot less money!
The Summer Infant stroller is a best-seller on Amazon and reclines. Alternatively, the Baby Jogger Travel Stroller is less expensive than the City Select.
I like wearing a backpack rather than pulling a carryon and holding a purse or baby bag. A backpack on wheels is ideal—it can be worn when your hands are full and pulled when your back is sore.
(I should have saved my back and bought one a lot sooner). I have this High Sierra backpack with lots of helpful pockets. It has survived many trips and is still going strong.
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2. Location
Aulani is located on the leeward (west side) of Oahu in the neighborhood of Ko Olina which also houses the Four Seasons Resort, Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach club, and the Beach Villas at Ko Olina. Ko Olina is about 17 miles from the Honolulu airport and nearly an hour drive from downtown Honolulu. The distance from the island’s center has several benefits.
First is the tranquility of Aulani. You don’t hear traffic noise, loud music, or construction.
Additionally, the four man-made lagoons of Ko Olina are shallow and gentle—perfect for dipping while holding a baby.
If you have visited beaches elsewhere on the island, you know that the current and waves are rough! Even standing in shallow water, I have been nearly “wiped out” many times when the tide came in.
I felt a lot safer at Aulani because there are no waves close to the beach.
Coves at Aulani
The gentle breeze that seemed to always be present on Oahu put my baby to sleep for almost the entire vacation (as you can see in a lot of the pictures!) which made the trip a literal breeze.
Keep in mind that pediatricians recommend NOT applying sunscreen to babies younger than six months.
A sunhat with SPF and a long-sleeve swimsuit are very important.
The villas of Aulani have an in-room washer and dryer, so you can bring reusable swim diapers. Otherwise, my go-to are Huggies disposable swim diapers.
Music Credit: Sunny @iksonmusic
When buying sunscreen for older babies and yourself, you will want to look for reef safe sunscreens. Hawaii is the first state to ban the sale of sunscreens that destroy coral reefs as of 1/1/2021. The primary sunscreen ingredients that are the problem are Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, and Titanium Dioxide.
Here are a few safe sunscreens to pack for Hawaii:
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Stick
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Finally, Aulani’s location is great with a baby because you can simply enjoy the resort and not leave.
When traveling with my new baby, I wanted a relaxing vacation. I didn’t want to be “on-the-go” all day trying to see all the sights and getting a hot, fussy baby in and out of a rental car.
I was content to sit on my lounge chair, admiring the views with my baby asleep on my chest.
Bargain Cha$ing Tourist Tip: Did you know you can rent baby gear that is delivered to your door on vacation and picked up when you're done? Baby Quip was recognized by Good Housekeeping's Best Family Travel Awards for 2023. I wish I had known about this company sooner! Check out Baby Quip run by moms and available all over the world:https://www.babyquip.com?a=0ec38ba
Island of Oahu
When I visited Aulani, I had already been to Oahu several times and seen the major sites.
If you want to experience all there is to see and do in Oahu: Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, Hanauma Bay, Kualoa Ranch, the Dole Plantation and many other adventures, I highly recommend a two-part vacation.
Aulani is “off the beaten path”, and not a convenient drive to any other experience due to location and traffic (other than Paradise Cove Luau next door).
I recommend staying in a hotel or rental property closer to the island’s center for the first half of the vacation. You can either rent a car or take tours to see all of Oahu.
Rental Cars.com is your one-stop shop for finding great deals:
Check out Waikiki resorts with Expedia:
Afterwards, a visit to Aulani for the last few days will relax and reenergize everyone before going home.
Bargain Cha$ing Tourist tip: Avoid parking at Aulani: the price is $37 per day. If you want to venture away from the resort, I recommend booking a rental car onsite and turning it in the same day to avoid the hefty parking cost. 3. The Resort
Waianae Tower, Aulani
I can rave all day about the actual property of Aulani itself.
The view as you drive up to the grandiose towers with the beach in the background is rather breathtaking, and that’s before you actually enter the resort.
To call Aulani a “hotel” doesn’t do it justice. Aulani is not like any other Disney property in style or energy. Aulani’s aesthetic is regal yet not pretentious.
I like to think of Aulani as the opposite of a theme park:
–There are rarely lines to wait in after the initial check-in process.
–You don’t see screaming, overstimulated children or frustrated, exhausted parents.
–Even the character meet and greets are casual and relaxed.
Stitch at Aulani
The grounds of Aulani are immaculately clean and well-maintained.
Waikolohe Valley is the name for the lush outdoor space with five pools, an amazing lazy river, water slides, a splash pad, and a children’s play area called the Menehune Bridge.
Life jackets are provided for bigger kids, but there are no infant life jackets. I brought an expensive baby life jacket when my daughter was 10 months which she refused to wear.
I recommend skipping the life jacket and carrying your baby in shallow water as long as you are confident in water.
Getting around the resort is easy—there are ramps everywhere to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs.
My favorite part is that the beach is steps away from the pools. Going back and forth between Waikolohe Valley and the beach is incredibly convenient.
If you're looking for a swimsuit to flatter your postpartum body, my favorite brands are Sunsets and La Blanca. These suits last longer than one summer and don’t fade excessively in salt water or chlorine. They range in size from XS to 22.
Wondering what to wear in Hawaii? A maxi dress is your best friend. Maxi dresses are comfortable, flattering, and photograph well. Watch my video about what to wear in Hawaii here.
What should your baby wear in Hawaii? I found cool, cotton onesies kept my baby content for the flight and the stay at Aulani.
Photo credit: Disney PhotoPass
I did not get to visit the gym or spa although the self-care services are plentiful: from massages to the hydrotherapy garden to beach yoga.
One important note is that you have to be a guest at Aulani to take advantage of all the activities and amenities.
Guests staying at neighboring resorts or rental properties are only permitted to visit the restaurants.
If you are easing back into exercise after having your baby, a fantastic beginner-friendly exercise program you can do in your room (or on the beach) at Aulani is Yoga Burn. This program is designed for small spaces, and doesn't use equipment. There is even a postpartum exercise series. Click here to see if Yoga Burn is right for you. 
Aulani sunset, photo credit: Disney PhotoPass
The Disney Photopass photographers roam Waikolohe Valley throughout the day taking fun pool-side pictures. They also take amazing beach photos at sunset—I definitely recommend taking family portraits in Aloha wear.
4. Accommodations
Aulani offers spectacular accommodations for a comfortable trip with a baby. I stayed in a villa which is highly recommended if you can budget for it.
Each villa has a kitchen with a full-size fridge, microwave, and stove which is very helpful for not only meal preparation but also sterilizing bottles, pump parts, etc.
I appreciated the in-room full washer and dryer to wash baby onesies, bibs, and blankies as well, so she could rewear her clothes.
Here are my essential in-room baby items (as you can see I’m a big fan of Dr. Browns):
A quality bottle brush either with soft bristles or sponge-top
Hawaiian quilts adorn the beds at Aulani
The first two times I visited Aulani, a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) membership was not required to book a villa.
At the time of writing this post, villas are available by joining DVC, renting DVC points from a third-party, or booking through Costco.
I have never rented points personally, but several online companies take care of all the logistics for you and have fantastic reviews.
I have also stayed in the standard rooms at Aulani which are beautiful, spacious and clean.
All rooms include a large bathtub. It isn’t crucial to stay in a villa when traveling with a baby.
The resort offers pack ‘n plays, high chairs, and outlet covers upon request for all guests. Nevertheless, the added amenities of the villa definitely made my trip easier.
Bargain Cha$ing Tourist tips: You can earn Disney Dollars with the Disney Premier Visa card that can be redeemed toward your resort stay. The Disney Premier Visa card also offers 0% APR for 6 months on Aulani vacation packages.Additionally, Disney gift cards can be applied to your resort reservation, at the front desk toward payment for your resort stay, and for on-site merchandise and restaurant purchases. You can save 5% on Disney gift cards at Target using the Target Red Card.Costco also offers Disney gift cards at a discount ($250 gift card for $224.99)The only third-party travel site I see Aulani deals on anymore is Priceline.com. 5. Meal Prices
Once you’ve paid for your airfare to Hawaii and resort accommodations, there is another expense that adds up very quickly—the cost for your meals.
I am not a foodie by any means. I’m embarrassed to say that after three trips to Aulani, I still have never eaten at any of the table service restaurants other than the character breakfast!
Despite eating at quick service dining options—either Ulu Cafe onsite or one of the walk-up restaurants across the street from the resort—I still paid quite a bit for food in Hawaii.
Island pricing is costlier than the mainland. This is the reason I encourage families to take advantage of the time the baby is breast-or formula-feeding or eating basic solids, so that you don’t have to pay island prices for their meals!
Bargain Cha$ing Tourist Tip: Bring cereal, oatmeal, and bars for yourself and any baby snacks in your checked luggage. You can buy small cartons of milk at the Island Country Market across the street from Aulani for your breakfast. Even when staying in a standard room, you can store perishable items in the room fridge. I also recommend bringing your own disposable spoons since plastic silverware is hard to find. My favorite easily portable snacks are:
Happy Baby and Happy Tot pouches
Munchkin snack cups don’t take up much space and are easily held by small hands.
Another option is a grocery stop at Target or Costco on the drive to Aulani.
Sunset at Aulani, photo credit: Disney PhotoPass
Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, is a gorgeous retreat that promises serenity and relaxation—just what new parents need.
An Aulani visit is a perfect vacation during a baby’s first year because of the location, the accommodations, and the amenities.
Additionally, the baby stage is a great time to take a longer flight and save on the price of food.
I hope you will do something amazing for yourself and your baby by booking your next vacation at Aulani!